Climate Action Opportunity
As people of faith, God calls us to speak out for the care of our sacred Earth. The Outreach/Earth Ministry committee is joining with Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) to show support for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s recent proposal to strengthen pollution standards and cut carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants. As part of the Biden Administration’s promise to cut climate pollution in half by 2030, the EPA has recently released two proposals for new pollution standards and has begun a period to collect public comment.
The first proposal centers around power plants and carbon pollution. From 2028 to 2042, the EPA’s proposals would slash carbon pollution by 617 million metric tons – equivalent to reducing the annual pollution of 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the United States. It would also provide up to $85 billion in net climate and public health benefits: avoiding 1,300 premature deaths, 800 hospital and ER visits, more than 300,000 asthma attacks, 38,000 school absences, and 66,000 lost work days.
The second proposal centers around the EPA proposed update to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard. This proposed update would strengthen vital safeguards to cut deadly mercury and other pollution from coal-fired power plants that threaten our health, air, and water and pose significant harm to fetuses during pregnancy and to newborns.
If you would like to support these measures, you may sign a statement that will be available beginning July 9th. The statement reads: “As a person of faith, I support the Environmental Protection Agency’s May 11, 2023 proposal to cut climate pollution from coal and gas powered plants. Climate change is a moral issue that is most harmful to those least responsible for creating the problem, and fossil fuel power plants are a top source of carbon pollution driving climate change.” Or you may respond online to tell the EPA you support these measures at https://gipl.org/actnow.
These are difficult yet hopeful times. As we work together for a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren, prayerfully consider adding your support for these proposals.
